Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese

My buddy Rick Gray from Vermont recently gave me a 2-pound block of Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese. I love it. My Buddy Chin also liked it. Chin is trying to arrange for a truck-load of prunes right now.....

I'm On Travel This Week

I'm spending the week in Clifton Park, New York at a work-related conference. I will probably not have anything to post until I return to New Hampshire on the weekend, unless I win big at Saratoga tomorrow afternoon. I've never been to this particular part of New York, but it is really nice. It was only a little over three hours driving time from home. Just after crossing into New York from Vermont, I came upon an accident involving a motorcyclist struck by a car. He didn't do well, despite wearing a lid and full leather. A reminder of how fragile we all are.

Trip to Illinois

I returned Sunday from a four-day trip to Illinois to celebrate my grandmother's 90th birthday. She looked great, and seemed to be on the top of the World. She has a little trouble walking, but is otherwise in good health and just as persnickety as I remember. My brother Richard, his wife Gwen, and their seven children came out from Utah. My cousin Bill, his wife Tamara, and their daughter Tiffany (with boyfriend Mike in tow) came out from San Diego and Mesa, AZ, respectively. My wife PJ and I, as well as granddaughter Amber, flew in from New Hampshire. My cousin Mike and his wife Jennifer came over from Missouri, as did his brother John and his wife Lynnette and children Joshua and Melody. The shot above is my brother Richard, me, and cousin Bill, with the guest of honor, Grandma Mae, in the middle.

To the left is my cousin Mike in the right field of the photo, with his wife Jennifer next to him. To their right is Lynnette, Bill, and Richard. Bill was telling a story that was probably bullshit, unless he was explaining the $200.00 bottle of whiskey we were drinking.






This is John and Lynnette. Obviously, at least one of them is insane. Actually, they are really great people and it was great to reconnect with them after many years.


This is PJ, Amber, and Papa Dutch with Grandma Mae.

Summer is Finally Here!

Summer in New England gets started, it seems, much later than in other places I've ever lived. Spring began June 15th, and ended with the beginning of Summer on July 5th. I hope Summer lasts longer than the two weeks we got last year. If it does, I may try to take the hard top off of the Jeep and drive very quickly between rain showers.

It's easy to tell when Summer arrives here. The abundant wildlife (whose dead carcasses litter the roadways). The beautiful butterflies (stuck to the windshield and grille). The gentle hum of other insect life (as it prepares to feast on your exposed skin). The blossoming flora (causing itchy eyes, runny noses, and sore throats). And finally being able to rake the lawn instead of the roof of the house. Ah..... Summer! I'd better get busy stacking firewood close to the house......